Suspect in armed robbery, trooper shooting is arraigned in Middletown

Twenty-four-year-old Sebastian P. Award of Deep River was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court Monday in connection with last week's armed robbery, car crash and shooting involving state police.

Judge David P. Gold ordered Award held in lieu of $1.5 million bond and, at the request of defense attorney William F. Dow, put a note on his file to alert Department of Correction officials that Award still needs medical attention. The judge transferred the case to the major crimes docket and continued it to May 14.

Award had been released from Hartford Hospital Sunday after undergoing surgery. The extent of his injuries is unclear, though he was able to walk into the courtroom. State police and correction officials guarded him while he was in the hospital, and troopers served him with an arrest warrant before he was discharged.

Jonathan Alvarado, 24, of Deep River died of gunshot wounds following the incident. State police Detective Scott Wisner was shot in the shoulder and was treated and released from Middlesex Shoreline Clinic.

The arrest warrant detailing the state's case against Award remains sealed because the investigation is continuing, according to prosecutor Peter A. McShane.

Award is charged with two counts of criminal attempt to commit murder, conspiracy, two counts of first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, two counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of second-degree larceny, three counts of criminal possession of a firearm, assault on a police officer, first-degree reckless endangerment, engaging in pursuit, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, interfering with a police officer and aiding and abetting in first-degree assault.

According to state police, the Old Saybrook Police Department responded to an armed robbery at the Days Inn on Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook about 3 p.m. Town police officers identified a suspect vehicle leaving the area, and a chase ensued. State troopers responded to assist. The vehicle fled onto Route 153 (Essex Road) into Westbrook, where it collided with a state trooper's vehicle.

Following the crash, state police said gunfire was exchanged between the suspects and troopers. Sgt. Keith Graham, a 14-year veteran of the state police, was involved in the incident and has been assigned to administrative duties while the investigation is pending.

The state police Eastern District Major Crime squad and Old Saybrook police are investigating.

k.florin@theday.com

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